Synthesis and Characterization of Graphite Intercalation Compounds with Sulfuric Acid

Anisotropy of Electrical and Thermal Conductivity in High-Density Graphite Foils

Flexible graphite foils with varying thicknesses (S = 282 ± 5 μm, M = 494 ± 7 μm, L = 746 ± 8 μm) and an initial density of 0.70 g/cm3 were obtained using the nitrate method. The specific electrical and thermal conductivity of these foils were investigated. As the density increased from 0.70 g/cm3 to 1.75 g/cm3, the specific electrical conductivity increased from 69 to 192 kS/m and the thermal conductivity increased from 109 to 326 W/(m·K) due to the rolling of graphite foils. The study showed that conductivity and anisotropy depend on the shape, orientation, and contact area of thermally expanded graphite (TEG) mesoparticles (mesostructural factor), and the crystal structure of nanocrystallites (nanostructural factor). A proposed mesostructural model explained these increases, with denser foils showing elongated, narrowed TEG particles and larger contact areas, confirmed by electron microscopy results. For graphite foils 200 and 750 μm thick, increased density led to a larger coherent scattering region, likely due to the rotation of graphite mesoparticles under mechanical action, while thinner foils (<200 μm) with densities > 1.7 g/cm3 showed increased plastic deformation, indicated by a sharp reduction in the coherent scattering region size. This was also evident from the decrease in misorientation angles with increasing density. Rolling reduced nanocrystallite misorientation angles along the rolling direction compared to the transverse direction (TD) (for 1.75 g/cm3 density ΔMA = 1.2° (S), 2.6° (M), and 2.4° (L)), explaining the observed anisotropy in the electrical and mechanical properties of the rolled graphite foils. X-ray analysis confirmed the preferred nanocrystallite orientation and anisotropy coefficients (A) using Kearns parameters, which aligned well with experimental measurements (for L series foils calculated as: A0.70 = 1.05, A1.30 = 1.10, and A1.75 = 1.16). These calculated values corresponded well with the experimental measurements of specific electrical conductivity, where the anisotropy coefficient changed from 1.00 to 1.16 and mechanical properties varied from 0.98 to 1.13.

Biomass Pyrolysis-Derived Biochar: A Versatile Precursor for Graphene Synthesis

Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon allotrope with a honeycomb structure, has emerged as a material of immense interest in diverse scientific and technical domains. It is mainly produced from graphite by mechanical, chemical and electrochemical exfoliation. As renewable energy and source utilization increase, including bioenergy from forest and woody residues, processed, among other methods, by pyrolysis treatment, it can be expected that biochar production will increase too. Thus, its useful applications, particularly in obtaining high-added-value products, need to be fully explored. This study aims at presenting a comprehensive analysis derived from experimental data, offering insights into the potential of biomass pyrolysis-derived biochar as a versatile precursor for the controlled synthesis of graphene and its derivatives. This approach comprehended the highest energy output and lowest negative environmental footprint, including the minimization of both toxic gas emissions during processing and heavy metals' presence in the feedstock, toward obtaining biochar suitable to be modified, employing the Hummers and intercalation with persulfate salts methods, aiming at deriving graphene-like materials. Material characterization has revealed that besides morphology and structural features of the original wooden biomass, graphitized structures are present as well, which is proven clearly by Raman and XPS analyses. Electrochemical tests revealed higher conductivity in modified samples, implying their graphene-like nature.

Surface modification of Polyether-ether-ketone for enhanced cell response: a chemical etching approach

Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is increasingly becoming popular in medicine because of its excellent mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and chemical resistance properties. However, PEEK being bioinert, has weak bone osseointegration properties, limiting its clinical applications. In this study, a porous PEEK structure was developed using a chemical etching method with 98 wt% sulfuric acids and three post-treatments were performed to improve bone cell adhesion and proliferation. Four groups of PEEK samples were prepared for the study: Control (untreated; Group 1); Etched with sulfuric acid and washed with distilled water (Group 2); Etched with sulfuric acid and washed with acetone and distilled water (Group 3); and Etched with sulfuric acid and washed with 4 wt% sodium hydroxide and distilled water (Group 4). Surface characterization of the different groups was evaluated for surface topology, porosity, roughness, and wettability using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, profilometer, and goniometer. Further chemical characterization was done using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the elements on the surface of each group. Bone cell studies were conducted using cell toxicity and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) assays. The SEM analysis of the different groups revealed porous structures in the treatment groups, while the control group showed a flat topology. There was no statistically significant difference between the pore size within the treated groups. This was further confirmed by the roughness values measured with the profilometer. We found a statistically significant increase in the roughness from 7.22 × 10-3 μm for the control group to the roughness range of 0.1 µm for the treated groups (Groups 2-4). EDX analysis revealed the presence of a 0.1% weight concentration of sodium on the surface of Group 4, while sulfur weight percentage concentration was 1.1%, 0.1%, and 1.4% in groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, indicating different surface chemistry on the surface due to different post-treatments. Cell toxicity decreased, and ALP activity increased in groups 3 and 4 over 7 days compared with the control group. It is demonstrated that the surface modification of PEEK using a chemical etching method with post-processing with either acetone or sodium hydroxide provides a nano-porous structure with improved properties, leading to enhanced osteoblastic cell differentiation and osteogenic potential.

A Combined Raman Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy System for In Situ and Real-Time Measures in Electrochemical Cells

An innovative and versatile set-up for in situ and real time measures in an electrochemical cell is described. An original coupling between micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy enables one to collect data on opaque electrodes. This system allows for the correlation of topographic images with chemical maps during the charge exchange occurring in oxidation/reduction processes. The proposed set-up plays a crucial role when reactions, both reversible and non-reversible, are studied step by step during electrochemical reactions and/or when local chemical analysis is required.